Obsidian

s i x t e e n

We're not a gang

I stop running to catch my breath. Practice has just ended. I changed my clothes and walked towards my Jeep.

"And where do you think you're going?" Ivan says grabbing my shoulders and turning me away.

"Going to drive my car home." I release myself from his hold and turn towards my Jeep.

"You can leave that here. I'll send someone to pick it up."

"Not a chance." I say. I enter my driver's seat while Ivan just hopped in. "I don't want your body in my Jeep."

He had a fake hurt expression on. "Who doesn't want me to enter their car? Anyone would be honoured to have me."

"Get out."

"Just drop me at my house. If you've forgotten, I'll give you directions. My car's bad."

"Sure it is." I start the Jeep and drive towards Ivan's.

"So wanna talk about Gwen."

"Talk about Gwen? Why exactly would I talk about Gwen to you when there's nothing to talk about." I focus on the road.

"There is something to talk about. I'm sure. When you went missing, who were you with?" Ivan places his feet on the dashboard.

"Get your feet off there, right now."

"Don't go off topic."

"Down!"

"Yeah, yeah." He drops his feet. "Now answer."

I roll my eyes "I was by myself."

"Through out?" He moves his face closer to mine with his eyes narrowed. With one hand on the stirring wheel and eyes on the road, I use my other hand to shove his face away from me.

"Personal space."

"Off topic."

"Gwen found me far later, okay. We talked and then I drove her home. Are you satisfied?"

"No. So tell me what's going on between the both of you."

I sigh. "Nothing. She's my best friend, I care for her. I don't like seeing her sad. Want me to say more obvious stuff."

Ivan nods his head. "Like you like her. You have all this time."

"I do—"

"I knew it!"

"—as a friend."

"What the....what's wrong with you. It's obvious that you like like Gwen. No wait, you have a secret crush. Or your infatuated. Or maybe in lo—"

"No. No I don't like her that way. She's amazing, but she's just my best friend."

Ivan rolls his eyes. "So it's one sided then. She likes you and you can't reciprocate it. Then there's Lydia and you can't see that either."

I parked the car at his house. "Get out."

"You are meant to hang with me remember. We are both getting out." I would have just forcefully pushed him out but I know he won't stop if I don't come in. I open the door, slam it closed and walk up to his door.

When we enter his house, I'm greeted by a little girl. Ruby, Ivan's little sister, about 5. "Hi!"

"Hey Ruby. What's up?" I put my hand out for a high five. She slaps her tiny hand on mine.

"I'm great. Wanna see my toys?" She says waving an Iron man figure in my face. Having Ivan as a brother caused that.

"Later kiddo. He's mine for now." Ivan says from behind me. Ruby pouts and I crumple my face.

"Again, Ew!"

"Ivan is that you?" I hear a lady say. When she appears, I notice it's Ivan's mum. "Oh, Adam. How are you?"

"I'm fine Mrs Davids. You?"

She smiles, "I'm doing great. Nice to see you. It's been a while."

Yup, a long while. I head down to the basement where I meet other boys drinking sodas. Ivan is right behind me hooting like an idiot.

"Look what I got." He said.

"Black!" Some of them yell. This is gonna be long and frustrating.

"I don't see you again, man." Some pull me into a bro hug. I pick up a bottle of coke.

"That's because I'm busy."

"With that chick? What's her name again?"

"Gwen."

"Yeah."

I squeeze my bottle. "Don't. I don't feel like talking about her."

Ivan rolls his eyes. "He's been like that for a while. Obviously whipped, but denying it. Leave him."

I look at my bottle of coke and notice it turning black. Oh f...

I try to calm down. Chill. I realise saying chill doesn't make you chill. Maybe that's why Gwen only gets angrier.

I drop the bottle behind me and try my utmost best to stay calm as the boys crack jokes.

"Pool?" Ivan asks.

I shake my head as the others get up and move about to play. When I look at the bottle and the black mark is gone.